Tropic of Cancer

“When into the womb of time everything is again withdrawn chaos will be restored and chaos is the score upon which reality is written.”

This is one of those amazing books that does violence to your system (think Lolita, Naked Lunch, Ulysses) but still leaves you gobsmacked by its brilliance. IT is the brazen, tortured soul of a man going through an existential crises in Paris. The novel is a cry in the dark; a delirious shout in the void. Miller's prose dances on the edge of the cracked mirror of Modernism. It is dazzling, sharp and extremely dangerous.

This is NOT a novel for the weak, the timid, the easily shocked or those that believe art exists (or should exist) without shadows. Miller lifts the sheets and describes the decay, the despair and the rot of humanity. If you are not prepared for the monstrous vision of Miller you won't be able to find the roses in the dung heap, and thus you will be unable to question your own desire for roses in the first place.

This is the same narrator for many audiobooks I've purchased. Initially, his voice sounds very monotone and boring but after a while it flows. I think this one is very well done. I tried to read this book several times in my life, but the audiobook makes it much easier to digest, listening to it 30 minutes here... 30 minutes there. on the way to work, while going to bed, etc. Great book.

You have to know what you're getting into with Henry Miller as his works may at times come across as utterly tasteless. For some people (myself incl.) those moments make me laugh so much I cry! Not a book to necessarily delve into in public places...but this author has a lexicon that is true genius.

I had read this decades ago. I wasn't all that impressed. But hearing it read aloud makes the poetry come through. There is a lot of musing on life and Paris and friends: and that is lovely to listen to. There really isn't any plot, just some extended narrative and a few anecdotes. I thought the narrator did a good job of playing the observer that Henry Miller was. My only complaint was that it needed more chapter breaks.

I liked the story, the performance, everything. The tone of the book and Campbell mix so nice. It was an amazing experience.

Miller has talent, no one denies that. But dear, sweet Jesus why waste it on this smut? I didn't read any reviews prior to buying, so the fault is mine. I just don't know why this is on so many top 100 lists.

no

I have, The Shining by Stephen King. Awesome pick for that one. This time he came off a a bit monotonous.

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Supposedly this is an important work due to it's obscenity troubles etc. but aside from that, I didn't find it all that well written, I was not engaged by the characters, and ultimately I felt it was not worth the time and very over-rated. There is nothing here that I don't fell isn't better done by Nabokov, Joyce, Hemingway, etc. Can't recommend it nor do I intend to listen to more Miller if/when it becomes available. My time is better spent elsewhere.

the book has been bestowed so much praise already that nothing more can be said about it. it is simply perfect.

the narration on the other hand leaves MUCH to be desired. campbell scott has managed to deflate and take out the life of what is a joyful and celebratory book.

his monotone, droning voice is diametrically opposed to what the work is about. he brings a dour, somber, and exhausted tone to something that should be vibrant and alive. i imagine that henry miller would probably just want to punch him in the mouth.

what a waste of brilliant piece on such a poor narrator. after listening to Jeremy Irons ecstatic and euphoric read of Lolita this is a definite letdown.

Too bad all of Henry Millers books are not audiobooks. Definitely one of the best writers I have come in contact with. Although there are massive ramblings, there are also very focused rants that hit a cord.

Campbell is a good reader but I thought he could have been a bit scruffier to match the drunken nature of the character.

No, there is too much to think about, I actually wanted to roll back the audio and revisit passages; not so easy in audio format.

I read this in book format years ago and this audio version really intrigued me to go back and read all of the Henry Miller books again.

It seems more an essay than a story. Relationships between souls but more frequently bodies with crude descriptions. There does not seem to be a backbone throughout the story maybe perhaps sex and poverty. For me no "veni vidi vici" but heard I have....now Makes me wonder if all famous writers are worth catching up with ;-)

About the reading, what can I say? I love the deep voice but the French names and words (the action takes place in Paris) are a clear struggle for Mr. Scott and it spoils some of the pleasure.

Yes Miller's books for a while. Maybe I'll venture it again but not soon

I don't expect the narrators to master the foreign words often found in English books but I expefct them like an actor to learn to speak them out so event the native understands.

None a book needs to be unabridged - everytime.

I wish the reader would make some research before tackling this book and if foreign languages are read, at least narrators should master the pronunciation.